FRU truck tragedy: Miros urges bosses to get serious about road safety

SHAH ALAM - In the wake of the tragic accident involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck that claimed nine lives, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) has issued a strong call to employers to integrate road safety as a fundamental aspect of their management operations.

Its chairman Dr Wong Shaw Voon stressed that companies must move beyond simply tasking drivers and actively manage the safety of their on-road activities.

"Employers must make a pledge to prioritise safety as an integral part of their management functions. It’s about managing road safety systematically rather than leaving decisions entirely to drivers.

"By collecting collective experiences and equipping drivers with the necessary knowledge and competencies, companies can significantly reduce the chances of accidents and fatalities.

"This benefits not just the drivers and staff but also the public," he told Sinar Daily.

Wong said although he did not have military training, he recognised the challenges that FRU personnel faced, especially since their work required them to move and respond quickly.

He said the truck was not built like a standard passenger vehicle, but rather as a special-purpose vehicle meant to transport personnel and equipment quickly to where they were needed.

Unlike a typical bus that simply transported passengers from point A to point B, he said there must be a balance between operational efficiency and safety for FRU trucks.

"Although I'm not from the armed forces, I understand that any delay during deployment can jeopardise the entire operation putting lives at risk," he added.

Wong also highlighted the importance of adopting established guidelines for road safety management such as the ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety standard.

He said these guidelines offered comprehensive frameworks for improving safety while maintaining business operations.

"Some employers may feel unsure about where to start, but there are many resources available. For instance, the ISO 39001 standard for road traffic safety management systems provides comprehensive guidance.

"These guidelines help organisations continuously improve safety while maintaining business operations," he said when contacted.

He added that road safety involved multiple dimensions, often referred to as the four M’s: men, machines, media and management.

Wong pointed out that factors like driver behaviour, vehicle condition and road design interacted and incidents rarely stemmed from a single cause.

He stressed that effective management must take all these elements into account.

"For example, if a road isn't suitable for heavy vehicles, necessary adjustments should be made to ensure safety," he said.

Wong also highlighted the role of employers in ensuring occupational safety under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

He said employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment, which included looking after road safety for employees while they were in transit.

This responsibility, he added, also extended to clients and members of the public.

"For example, companies should consider factors like weather conditions and route suitability, making adjustments such as reducing speed limits during heavy rain or tracking vehicle movements using modern technologies like IoT," he said.

Addressing the impact of road accidents on businesses, Wong said such incidents affected not only human lives but also damaged organisational trust and disrupt operational efficiency.

He said any accident reflected poorly on a company, affecting its reputation and bottom line adding that businesses must seize every opportunity to make their operations safer.

This, he said included continuously updating safety protocols to keep up with changing technologies and environments.

Wong urged all organisations to play their part in enhancing road safety.

"Whether it’s the FRU or any other organisation, safety is a shared responsibility.

"By implementing comprehensive safety measures and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we can prevent tragedies and ensure safer roads for everyone," he said.

On May 13, nine FRU personnel were killed en route to Ipoh from Teluk Intan after their vehicle was rammed by a lorry carrying stones.

The accident which involved the truck carrying 18 personnel happened around 8.50am on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam.

Two other personnel were seriously injured and seven others sustained minor injuries.

It was reported that the lorry driver was remanded for four days from yesterday (May 14).